Letters to the editor, 11/26

We need to vote out the phonies in Congress

Who in Congress actually deserves to be there? Many senators don't read the bills given them. They just put a check mark next to "yes" or "no" without looking at the bills. And these are the people who represent us! They're getting paid and don't read important bills that will affect the taxpayers! Who gave them that right?

Recently, a 600-page bill was given to Congress, however, the bill was to be voted on the same day!

Sen. Rand Paul recently informed the American public of this. For too long, bills of substantial size are given to Congress to be acted upon the same day or two. Certain people in Congress are manipulating other congressmen in creating bills to be voted upon ASAP.

Little or no time is given to vote on bills, depriving Congress of the opportunity to delve into questionable areas of bills that were written on behalf of big corporations, such as giving them big tax breaks and adding another tax burden on the people in return for their support in the next election.

We have a bunch of hypocrites feigning to be lawmakers but in actuality they're there for their own interests. Many have lied themselves into office. I'm sure some are truly in Congress to help people. Unfortunately, because many are there to pocket money, their behavior reflects suspicion upon the other congressmen.

We need to vote out the phonies. And if a congressman is guilty of misdeeds and falsehoods, we should insist on his dismissal without pay!

Florence Graff

Wappingers Falls

UGARC facility shouldn't be called 'single-family'

How can a nearly 5,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom facility with a commercial septic system, parking for 10 and upward of 15 employees be called a single-family residence?

This is the term Ulster-Greene ARC (UGARC) uses to force its way into residential neighborhoods. They hide behind the Padavan law (named for former New York state senator Frank Padavan) to get away with building huge commercial facilities anywhere they want. This law exempts them from local ordinances which would normally prevent anyone else from doing the same.

What if there are building restrictions in that area? That doesn't matter. They skip them and apply for a single-family residence building permit without stating the scope of the project.

When the surrounding neighbors discover what's going on, UGARC says there's nothing to worry about. Baloney! They do nothing to help the neighbors.

The building is being constructed at the end of a dead-end, residential road, where there are four single-family homes. Residents have asked UGARC officials to redirect their access to the public town road, which their property borders; they've refused. There's no legal stipulations to keep UGARC from moving its driveway.

We know they help many disabled people, but UGARC officials run a business and only care about their own needs. They certainly don't care about the people they move next to. Why don't they pay property taxes on their single-family residence? Their neighbors pay taxes. This is where the Padavan law should be altered. If they're calling themselves single-family residences, they should pay taxes too.

Andrew Comey

Kerhonkson

Applebee's recognizes our veterans' service

Every year for Veterans Day, Applebee's restaurants provide free meals for veterans.

We would like to thank the managers and staff of our Poughkeepsie restaurant for their recognition of the men and women who have served our country well.